Galanthus “Castlegar”

This snowdrop was introduced by Dr Keith Lamb who spotted it on the Mahon Estate at Castlegar, Co. Galway.

The outer segments are generous, vertically ridged and plain white, and the inner segments, also vertically ridged, have a fine apical mark, which combined with the steep V of the sinus looks just like a moustache.

Valued as an early flowering snowdrop and also for reliably producing 2 flowering scapes per bulb.

It does well here NE Scotland amongst our herbaceous borders, flowering in January.

Bulbs establish well after transplanting and clumps are quick to increase.

What will you receive?

Depending on the time of year, you will receive either a:dormant bulbs, b:newly sprouting bulbs, c:snowdrops in flower, d:snowdrops “in the green”

The snowdrop is currently growing in its own pot and may or may not have bulb-lets attached, we do not separate these off – they will be included with the main bulb.

All bulbs will have the compost washed off prior to posting – this minimises damage in posting and reduces weight so we can keep postage costs low.

Flowering bulbs and bulbs “in the green” will be wrapped in damp tissue/kitchen roll and plastic film, then boxed – Dormant bulbs are packed in damp vermiculite.

Please pot up or plant out as soon as you receive it.

Planting Tips

Dig a hole to the depth that the bulb was previous planted (where the leaves change from white to green) or slightly deeper, pop in the bulb, and firm the soil back around the bulb to ensure no air-pockets.

If your soil is prone to water logging incorporate plenty of grit or sand to the area around the bulbs as well as the planting hole.

If your soil is sandy and exceptionally free draining then mix leaf-mould or compost into the area around the bulbs as well as the planting hole.

If your borders are visited regularly by voles or moles, then we recommend planting in pond baskets so that the bulbs are neither lifted onto the surface of the soil, or buried too deep by their soil excavating habits.